Typographical distributing machine



Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. FROLANDER ETAL 2,523,109

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE l8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 8, 1945 R INVENTOHS R C Ad MW WWW-ATTORNEYS Sept. 19, 1950 F. c. FROLANDER ETAL 2,523,109

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TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed March 8,1945

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Pas/Ear Elements INVENTOHS W. M W ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 19, 1950 V Frank C. Frolander, Elizabeth, N. J and Richard It. Mead, Queens Village, N. Y., assignors to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Application March 8, 1945, Serial No. 581,680

This invention relates to typographical distributing machines, such as Linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent No. 436,532to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to apmagazines movable as a unit in. the machine framework to bring different pairs into use,,.the

distributing mechanism being capable of serving both magazines of a selected pair simultaneously so that the matrices released therefrom may be mixed in the same line and, after the slug casting operation, restored to their proper magazines.

Broadly speaking, the invention is directed to an improved distributing mechanism which includes two fixed character distributors arranged side by side and means whereby the matrices, as they are successively detached from a composed line, are delivered according to form to pne distributor Or the other. -In thelpresent instance, the matrix delivery means compriseanadvancing tached matrices from adistributor box into engagement with a pair of retractible receiving rails located at a relay station midway between the distributors, and the transporter being operative in one or the other of two zones .tocarry the matrices from the relay station into transfer relation to the appropriate distributors.

During a pauseji-n the operation of the transporter, the rails are withdrawnfrom their receiving position so as to release the matrices for engagement with the transporter; and coincident with this operation; an 'overhead spring-actuated clamping device, arranged inoperative relation to the upper edges of the matrices, is allowed to function, first, to prevent the displacement of the matrices as they are stripped off the rails :and, then, tohold the matrices firmly upon the=transporter while en route from the relay station to the appropriate transfer station. Upon the arrival of a matrix at its transferstation, the clamping device is disengagedand the matrix immediately transferredrfrom the transporter tothe distrib 80 Glaims. (Cl. 199-41) utor, this latter operation taking place simultaneously with the advance of the next following matrix to the relay station, whereby distribution of the matrices may be carried on continuously or without interruption until the flow of detached matrices from the distributor box has ceased.

Provision is made to determine the destination of the detached matrices before they arrive at the relay station and, for this purpose, the distributor box i equipped with a plurality of form distinguishing elements arranged into engaging relation to the lower ends of the matrices. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the distinguishing elements are pivotally mounted on a common axis and are also capable of individual bodily adjustment in order to register with the customary font or bridge notches in those matrices destined for one of the distributors. Those matrices destined for the other distributor, and whose font or bridge notches do not register with the distinguishing elements, are adapted as they are detached from the line to rock said elements out of the way, and this rocking movement is immember and a, reciprocating transporter, the ad- 'vancingmemberbeing adapted to push the ;de-'

parted toa conditioning agent by means of which the zone of operation of the transporter is selected. These and other features of the improved distributing mechanism, as well as the construction of the parts involved, and the manner in which they, cooperate, will be more readily understood from the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has beenshown merely injpreferred form and by way of example, and obviously many changesand variations may be made therein without departure from its scope. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any spe cific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the f drawings: Fig. 1 is anendelevation, partly in section, of the improved distributing mechanism, showing the driving connections and the general relation of the parts; i

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly in section, ofthe matrix transporter, its actuating devices and parts associated therewith, and showing a matrix-supported and sustained in upright position upon the transporter by the overhead clampingmember; I g K Fig. 5 is an elevation similar to Fig. 4 but showing by the full lines the matrix shifted to the left in transfer relation to the rear distributor and the next following matrix supported on the retractible rails at the relay station, and indicating by the dotted lines the position of certain parts carried by the transporter just before it completes its return stroke;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the two distributors, showing the magazine entrances and the manner of supporting and guiding the matrices as they are transferred to the distributor screws;

Fig. '7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, showing the improved screw bearmgs;

Fig. 8 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the actuating mechanism and control element for the transporter;

Figs. 9 and 10 are end elevations, partly broken away, of the parts shown in Fig. 8 and depicting the control element for the transporter in its different positions and the automatically controlled trip pawl therefor;

-Fig.-.11 is a vertical section taken on the line lI- H of Fig. 4,. showing the relative position of the parts of both the distributor box and transporter when the matrix advancing member has completed its return stroke;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view showing a detached matrix clearing the form distinguishing elements and the conditioning agent locked against accidental displacement;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the relative position of the parts when the matrix advancing member completes its active stroke to transfer a matrix from the transporter to the front distributor and to advance the next followv ing matrix into engagement with the retractible rails;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section through the distributor box showing the overhead matrix guide plate, the auxiliary stop member and the controlling devices therefor;

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the actuating lever for the retractible rails and other parts adjacent thereto;

, Fig. 16 is a vertical section of the parts taken ori the line l6-l6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a detail front elevation of certain parts shown in, Figs. 15 and 16; Fig. .18 is a perspective view of the matrix advancing member and parts carried thereby;

Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the distributor box, with the mechanism supported thereby;

.1 Fig, 20 is a horizontal section taken on the 1ineI2ll 20 of Fig. 19

Figs. 21, 22 and 23 are detail views showing the three form distinguishing elements and the manner in which they are connected with their individual adjusting rods;

Fig. 24 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the distributor box, showing the relative position of the partswhen the form distinguishing elements are actuated by a detached matrix;

Fig. 25 is a detail end elevation, partly in section, of certain parts shown in Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a view similar to that of Fig. 24 but including additional parts to illustrate the manner of actuating the trip pawl to institute a change in the zone of operation of the transporter;

Fig. 27 is a detail fragmentary perspective view showing the auxiliary stop member and matrix lifting finger in operative relation to a matrix engaging said member;

' Fig. 28 is a horizontal section taken on the line 28'28 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 29 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the matrix advancing member and a portion of the distributor box, ShOWlIlg the transfer fingers and the tilting devices therefor;

Figs. 30 and 31 are detail views to show how a back-milled matrix, irrespective of its fonm, will always actuate the form distinguishing elements;

Fig. 32 is an elevation, taken from the rear, showing the means tending to restore the conditioning agent and form distinguishing elements to their normal position prior to the advance of a matrix to the relay station;

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary elevation showing a matrix shifted by the transporter into transfer relation to the rear distributor and also the relative position of the clamping device to its sustaining cam plates, just before it is disengaged from the matrix;

Figs. 34 and 35 are detail views showing the manner in which the clamping member is disengaged from a matrix prior to its transfer from the transporter to the appropriate distributor;

Fig. 36 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale and partly in section, of a portion of the distributor box and matrix advancing member, and showing the tilting devices for the upper transfer fingers of said member;

Fig. 37 is an elevation similar to Fig. 36 showing, by the full lines, the position of the matrix transfer fingers as the matrix advancing member completes its active stroke and indicating, by the dotted lines, the position they are caused to assume during the return stroke of said member;

Fig. 38 is a detail plan view showing the driving mechanism for various parts;

Fig. 39 is a diagrammatic view of the gearing arrangement Figs. 40 and 41 are detail plan views, partly in section, showing the transporter control element in its different operative positions under one setting;

Figs. 42 and 43 are views similar to Figs. 40 and 41 but showing the transporter control element in corresponding positions under another setting;

Fig. 44 is a diagrammatic perspective view indicating the different steps a detached matrix is caused to take in its delivery from the distributor box to the appropriate distributor;

Fig. 45 is a diagrammatic view showing the six different positions detached matrices of maximum thickness will be caused to assume during their delivery from the distributor box tothe appropriate distributors and the relation they will bear to the transfer fingers when moved to such positions; and

Figs. 46 and 47 are detail perspective views of matrices of two different forms.

Distributors As best shown in Fig. 6, there are two main or character distributors A A arranged side by side and connected respectively to a pair of superposed magazines A A by intervening channel entrances A A Each distributor comprises, as usual, a horizontal toothed bar A and a plurality of screws arranged parallel to the bar and adapted to advance the matrices therealong until they are released above their appropriate magazine channels. The distributor screws, five in number, include a single inside screw A, common to both distributors, and two pairs of front and rear outside screws A and A, respectively. Due to limitations in'space, all of the distributor screws, with the exception of the upper rear 

